Understanding Token Metadata and Standards

Token metadata is crucial for how your token appears in wallets, explorers, and applications. This guide explains everything you need to know about Solana token metadata and standards.

What is Token Metadata?

Token metadata is additional information about your token that includes:

Name and symbol

Description

Image/logo

External links

Attributes and properties

SPL Token Standard

Solana uses the SPL (Solana Program Library) token standard, which defines:

Core Token Properties

**Mint Address**: Unique identifier for your token

**Decimals**: Number of decimal places (usually 9)

**Supply**: Total number of tokens

**Mint Authority**: Who can create more tokens

**Freeze Authority**: Who can freeze token accounts

Metadata Standards

Metaplex Token Metadata

The most widely adopted standard is Metaplex Token Metadata, which includes:

json

{

"name": "My Token",

"symbol": "MTK",

"description": "A description of my token",

"image": "https://example.com/image.png",

"external_url": "https://myproject.com",

"attributes": [

{

"trait_type": "Category",

"value": "Utility"

}

"properties": {

"files": [

{

"uri": "https://example.com/image.png",

"type": "image/png"

}

"category": "image"

}

Required Fields

**name**: Token name (max 32 characters)

**symbol**: Token symbol (max 10 characters)

**description**: Token description

**image**: URL to token image

Optional Fields

**external_url**: Project website

**attributes**: Custom properties

**animation_url**: For animated content

**properties**: Additional metadata

Image Requirements

Recommended Specifications

**Size**: 512x512 pixels minimum

**Format**: PNG, JPG, or SVG

**File size**: Under 1MB

**Background**: Consider transparency for PNG

Storage Options

**IPFS**: Decentralized, permanent storage

**Arweave**: Permanent storage with one-time payment

**Traditional hosting**: Centralized but faster

Metadata Storage

On-Chain vs Off-Chain

**On-Chain Metadata**:

Stored directly on Solana blockchain

More expensive but permanent

Limited size (up to 1232 bytes)

**Off-Chain Metadata**:

Stored on external services

Cheaper and more flexible

Requires reliable hosting

Best Practices

1. **Use IPFS or Arweave** for permanent storage

2. **Pin your content** to ensure availability

3. **Validate JSON** before uploading

4. **Test URLs** to ensure accessibility

Common Metadata Patterns

Utility Tokens

json

{

"name": "Governance Token",

"symbol": "GOV",

"description": "Governance token for DAO voting",

"attributes": [

{

"trait_type": "Type",

"value": "Governance"

{

"trait_type": "Voting Power",

"value": "1"

}

]

}

Collectible Tokens

json

{

"name": "Rare Collectible #1",

"symbol": "RARE",

"description": "Limited edition collectible",

"attributes": [

{

"trait_type": "Rarity",

"value": "Legendary"

{

"trait_type": "Edition",

"value": "1 of 100"

}

]

}

Updating Metadata

Mutable vs Immutable

**Mutable**: Can be updated by update authority

**Immutable**: Cannot be changed once set

Update Process

1. Prepare new metadata

2. Upload to storage

3. Call update instruction

4. Pay transaction fees

Validation and Testing

Metadata Validation

Use JSON validators

Check image accessibility

Verify all URLs work

Test in different wallets

Common Issues

**Invalid JSON**: Syntax errors in metadata

**Broken images**: Inaccessible image URLs

**Size limits**: Metadata too large

**Encoding issues**: Special characters

Tools and Resources

Metadata Tools

**Metaplex CLI**: Command-line tools

**Sugar CLI**: Candy Machine tool

**Online validators**: JSON validation tools

Storage Services

**NFT.Storage**: Free IPFS pinning

**Pinata**: IPFS service

**Bundlr**: Arweave uploads

Conclusion

Proper metadata is essential for token success. It affects how your token appears across the ecosystem and impacts user experience. Take time to craft quality metadata that accurately represents your project.

Remember: metadata is often the first impression users have of your token, so make it count!